Cyclists traveling on public roads are extremely vulnerable since they have little to protect them in the event of an accident. Collisions often lead to broken bones, head trauma, back and neck injuries, lacerations, and even paralysis. The road to recovery can be long and challenging.
If you were hurt in an accident while riding a bicycle, you may need to undergo multiple surgeries and months of physical therapy. You may never again be able to walk without assistance or to enjoy the life you had prior to the accident. You may be left with permanent physical and emotional scars.
The medical costs for injuries related to a bicycle accident may be staggering. In addition, you may be unable to work, and you and your family may be struggling to make ends meet. You may be worried about how you will continue to cover basic necessities, such as housing, electricity, and food, and you may be thinking that your dreams of taking family vacations and sending your children to college will now be impossible.
A Sacramento bicycle accident lawyer may be able to help. At Ben Crump Law, PLLC we focus on representing people who have suffered injuries due to the actions or negligence of others. If you were seriously hurt in an accident that was not your fault, you should not have to bear the financial burden.
Our team can seek a fair settlement to compensate you for the injuries you suffered as a result of the bicycle accident. We can pursue a financial award to cover your medical bills to date, plus future costs for ongoing medical care, lost income, and pain and suffering. Call our office at 800-761-5225 to discuss your case with a member of our team today.
Who Was Liable for the Bicycle Accident?
Figuring out who was responsible for a collision is not always straightforward. If you were injured in an accident with a car or truck while you were riding a bicycle, the driver may be responsible, but in some circumstances, another party may be to blame.
A driver who did not exercise a reasonable amount of caution while operating a motor vehicle and who caused an accident may be found negligent, according to California Civil Code § 1714. For example, drivers have a duty to obey posted speed limits, stop signs, and traffic signals. They also have a responsibility to watch out for cyclists and to yield the right-of-way when the law requires it. Using a cellphone to talk or text while driving or operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs are illegal because those actions can endanger the safety of the driver and others on the road. A driver who violated the law and acted negligently may be found liable for the accident that caused your injuries.
The driver whose vehicle hit you while you were riding your bicycle may not be responsible in some circumstances. Our investigation may uncover evidence that the driver’s vehicle had a defect that made it unsafe. For instance, it may have been poorly designed, or a critical component, such as the brakes, may have failed due to a manufacturing defect.
It is also possible that the accident occurred due to a past repair. If work was performed incorrectly and a faulty repair caused the collision, the mechanic may be found liable for your injuries. If a part that was used in repairs was poorly designed or had a manufacturing defect, the company that made the part may be held liable for the collision.
Road conditions may have played a role in the crash. For example, if a road was blocked, or if there was a detour because of construction, and signs were not posted clearly telling drivers and cyclists where to go, the construction company or the city may be found liable. If a pothole caused you to lose control of your bicycle, or if you swerved to avoid a pothole and collided with a vehicle, the city may be held responsible for your resulting injuries.
For a free legal consultation with a bicycle accidents lawyer serving Sacramento, call 800-761-5225
A Sacramento Bicycle Accident Lawyer Can Work to Obtain Compensation for Your Injuries
The team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC can conduct an investigation to find out what caused the accident. We can review the police report, statements from you and from witnesses, and any video of the crash that may exist. We can consider a multitude of factors that may have played a role in the accident, including the driver’s actions, the condition of the driver’s vehicle, and weather and road conditions, to figure out who was responsible.
If the driver was liable for the accident, we can try to negotiate a fair settlement with that individual’s auto insurance company. We may file a lawsuit against the driver if he or she did not have insurance or did not have enough liability coverage to fairly compensate you for your injuries. If another party, such as the vehicle manufacturer, someone involved in a repair, a construction company, or the local government, was responsible, we can work to hold that party accountable.
In some cases, we can negotiate a settlement with an insurance company or another entity, but that is often not possible. Insurance companies, manufacturers, and governments want to protect their bottom line. They may try to avoid accepting responsibility for an accident or attempt to downplay a victim’s injuries to pay as little as possible. In those cases, we sometimes decide that it is necessary to go to trial to obtain fair compensation for a client.
Sacramento Bicycle Accident Lawyer Near Me 800-761-5225
The Law Limits Your Window of Opportunity to Seek Justice
You do not have a lot of time to pursue financial compensation for your injuries. According to the California Code of Civil Procedure, Section 335.1, the statute of limitations to file a personal injury claim is just two years. The sooner you contact a Sacramento bicycle accident lawyer, the sooner our team will be able to begin gathering evidence so we can figure out who was responsible for the accident and work to hold that party accountable. Call Ben Crump Law, PLLC at 800-761-5225 to get the process started during a free case review.
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